U.S. patent number 8,809,248 [Application Number 13/321,958] was granted by the patent office on 2014-08-19 for engine cleaning composition and method for cleaning the engine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. The grantee listed for this patent is Hung Che Cheng, Xin Huo, Jeffrey R. Janssen. Invention is credited to Hung Che Cheng, Xin Huo, Jeffrey R. Janssen.
United States Patent |
8,809,248 |
Huo , et al. |
August 19, 2014 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Engine cleaning composition and method for cleaning the engine
Abstract
The present invention provides a method of cleaning an engine
having at least one combustion chamber, and the method includes the
steps of providing an engine cleaning composition and introducing
the cleaning composition into the combustion chamber. The engine
cleaning composition includes: (i) 10-100 wt % of an alkanol amine
hydroxy carboxylate represented by formula (I):
RCHOHCOONH.sub.a+1((CH2).sub.nOH).sub.b (I), wherein n is an
integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or 3;
such that a+b=3; R represents hydrogen atom or alkyl; (ii) 0-90 wt
% of a surfactant; (iii) 0-90 wt % of a solvent; and (iv) 0-90 wt %
of water. The present invention also provides an engine cleaning
composition to remove carbon deposit from engines.
Inventors: |
Huo; Xin (Shanghai,
CN), Janssen; Jeffrey R. (Woodbury, MN), Cheng;
Hung Che (Taiwan, CN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huo; Xin
Janssen; Jeffrey R.
Cheng; Hung Che |
Shanghai
Woodbury
Taiwan |
N/A
MN
N/A |
CN
US
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company (Saint Paul, MN)
|
Family
ID: |
42340418 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/321,958 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2010 |
PCT
Filed: |
May 26, 2010 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/US2010/036166 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
November 22, 2011 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2010/141283 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
December 09, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20120071377 A1 |
Mar 22, 2012 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 1, 2009 [CN] |
|
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2009 1 0145289 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
510/185;
510/499 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11D
11/0041 (20130101); F02B 77/04 (20130101); C11D
3/30 (20130101); C11D 1/10 (20130101); C11D
7/265 (20130101); C11D 7/3218 (20130101); C11D
3/2086 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C11D
3/30 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;510/185 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
1153813 |
|
Jul 1997 |
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CN |
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10237417 |
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Sep 1998 |
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JP |
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91/05742 |
|
May 1991 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
PCT International Search Report for PCT/US2010/036166, mailed Aug.
30, 2010. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Webb; Gregory
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Medved; Aleksander
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of cleaning an engine having at least one combustion
chamber, comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising: (i)
10-90 wt % of an alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate represented by
formula (I): RCHOHCOONH.sub.a+1((CH2).sub.nOH).sub.b (I) wherein n
is an integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or
3; such that a+b=3; R represents hydrogen atom or alkyl; (ii) 10-90
wt % of a surfactant; (iii) 0-80 wt % of a solvent; and (iv) 0-80
wt % of water; (b) introducing the composition into the combustion
chamber; wherein the surfactant is selected from the group
consisting of benzenesulfonic acid, a fatty alcohol ethoxylated,
propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and alkyl dimethyl hydroxy ethyl
ammonium chloride.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the alkanol amine hydroxy
carboxylate is formed by reacting hydroxy acid with alkanol
amine.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the alkanol amine is a compound
of formula (II): H.sub.aN((CH.sub.2).sub.nOH).sub.b (II) wherein n
is an integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or
3; such that a+b=3.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the alkyl has one to eight carbon
atoms.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent is an alkyl
hydrocarbon.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the surfactant constitutes 30-70
wt % of the composition.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent constitutes 30-70 wt
% of the composition.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises: 30-70
wt % of the alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate; 10-60 wt % of the
surfactant; 10-60 wt % of the solvent; and 0-50 wt % of water.
9. A method of cleaning an engine having at least one combustion
chamber, comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising: (i)
10-70 wt % of an alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate represented by
formula (I): RCHOHCOONH.sub.a+1((CH2).sub.nOH).sub.b (I) wherein n
is an integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or
3; such that a+b=3; R represents hydrogen atom or alkyl; (ii) 30-70
wt % of a surfactant; (iii) 0-60 wt % of a solvent; and (iv) 0-60
wt % of water; (b) introducing the composition into the combustion
chamber.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the alkanol amine hydroxy
carboxylate is formed by reacting hydroxy acid with alkanol
amine.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the alkanol amine is a compound
of formula (II): H.sub.a1N((CH.sub.2).sub.nOH).sub.b (II) wherein n
is an integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or
3; such that a+b=3.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the alkyl has one to eight
carbon atoms.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the surfactant is selected from
the group consisting of benzenesulfonic acid, a fatty alcohol
ethoxylated, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and alkyl dimethyl
hydroxy ethyl ammonium chloride.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the solvent is an alkyl
hydrocarbon.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the solvent constitutes 30-60 wt
% of the composition.
16. The method of claim 9, wherein the composition comprises: 30-70
wt % of the alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate; 10-60 wt % of the
solvent; and 0-60 wt % of water.
17. A method of cleaning an engine having at least one combustion
chamber, comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising: (i)
10-60 wt % of an alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate represented by
formula (I): RCHOHCOONH.sub.a+1((CH2).sub.nOH).sub.b (I) wherein n
is an integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or
3; such that a+b=3; R represents hydrogen atom or alkyl; (ii) 10-60
wt % of a surfactant; (iii) 30-70 wt % of a solvent; and (iv) 0-50
wt % of water; (b) introducing the composition into the combustion
chamber.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the alkanol amine hydroxy
carboxylate is formed by reacting hydroxy acid with alkanol
amine.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the alkanol amine is a compound
of formula (II): H.sub.aN((CH.sub.2).sub.nOH).sub.b (II) wherein n
is an integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or
3; such that a+b=3.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the alkyl has one to eight
carbon atoms.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein the surfactant is selected from
the group consisting of benzenesulfonic acid, a fatty alcohol
ethoxylated, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and alkyl dimethyl
hydroxy ethyl ammonium chloride.
22. The method of claim 17, wherein the solvent is an alkyl
hydrocarbon.
23. The method of claim 17, wherein the surfactant constitutes
30-60 wt % of the composition.
24. The method of claim 17, wherein the composition comprises:
30-60 wt % of the alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate; 10-60 wt % of
the surfactant; and 0-50 wt % of water.
25. A method of cleaning an engine having at least one combustion
chamber, comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising: (i)
30-70 wt % of an alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate represented by
formula (I): RCHOHCOONH.sub.a+1((CH2).sub.nOH).sub.b (I) wherein n
is an integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or
3; such that a+b=3; R represents hydrogen atom or alkyl; (ii) 10-60
wt % of a surfactant; (iii) 10-60 wt % of a solvent; and (iv) 0-50
wt % of water; (b) introducing the composition into the combustion
chamber.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the alkanol amine hydroxy
carboxylate is formed by reacting hydroxy acid with alkanol
amine.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the alkanol amine is a compound
of formula (II): H.sub.aN((CH.sub.2).sub.nOH).sub.b (II) wherein n
is an integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or
3; such that a+b=3.
28. The method of claim 25, wherein the alkyl has one to eight
carbon atoms.
29. The method of claim 25, wherein the surfactant is selected from
the group consisting of benzenesulfonic acid, a fatty alcohol
ethoxylated, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and alkyl dimethyl
hydroxy ethyl ammonium chloride.
30. The method of claim 25, wherein the solvent is an alkyl
hydrocarbon.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of
PCT/US2010/036166, filed May 26, 2010, which claims priority to
Chinese Application No. 200910145289.5, filed Jun. 1, 2009, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its/their
entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to compositions used for removing
carbon deposit from engines and methods for cleaning the same.
BACKGROUND
Automobile users have been bothered by troublesome contamination of
engines, especially the carbon deposits produced in the engines
during the work process. It has been found that the fuel induction
system, inlet valves, and combustion chambers of internal
combustion engines are subject to carbon deposits which are formed
under high temperature and derived from many sources, including
materials in the fuel, products of fuel decomposition, products of
fuel combustion, contaminants in the air which are not removed by
filtration, and lubricating oil residues. The carbon deposits cause
uneven distribution of the fuel charge in the cylinder of the
engine, insufficient quantities of fuel supply in the various
cylinders, and other problems which lead to poor engine
performance, increased emissions, and poor fuel economy.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,704 discloses that N-long chain alkyl,
N-hydroxyalkyl alkylenepolyamines are useful as detergents in
hydrocarbon fuels.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,402 discloses that polyisobutenyl
aminoethylethanolamine is useful as a gasoline detergent at levels
from 50 to 200 parts per million.
CN1153813A discloses a cleaner consists of ethanolamine, butyl
alcohol, ethyl ether, ammonia water, oleic acid, emulsifier, engine
oil and kerosine, and it is used for cleaning stain and carbon
deposit in internal combustion engines.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,453A1 discloses a composition comprising an
alkoxy alcohol, an aliphatic alcohol, a liquid petroleum
distillate, a liquid fatty acid, a volatile nitrogen base,
polyisobuteny aminoethylethanolamine, and water may be used as an
engine deposit cleaner which removers air and fuel induction system
deposits, valve deposits, and combustion chamber deposits.
However, the use of aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, or glycol ether,
or alkali may have environment concerns. Moreover, the cleaning
efficiency of a typical detergent composition is not satisfactory
to clean the engines which are contaminated by carbon deposits.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide cleaning
compositions which can remove carbon deposits not only from fuel
induction system but also from the inlet valves and combustion
chambers of engines without above mentioned disadvantages. Instead
of being used in the fuel itself, the cleaning compositions of the
present invention are intended to be used as a single cleaning
treatment of the engines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of cleaning
an engine having at least one combustion chamber, the method
comprising:
(a) providing a composition comprising: (i) 10-100 wt % of an
alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate represented by formula (I):
RCHOHCOONH.sub.a+1(CH2).sub.nOH).sub.b (I) wherein n is an integer
in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or 3; such that
a+b=3; R represents hydrogen atom or alkyl; (ii) 0-90 wt % of a
surfactant; (iii) 0-90 wt % of a solvent; and (iv) 0-90 wt % of
water;
(b) introducing the composition into the combustion chamber.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for
cleaning an engine comprising the steps of: (a) providing a
composition produced by mixing the following ingredients: 7-70% of
hydroxy acid by weight of the cleaning composition; 3-50% of at
least one alkanol amine by weight of the cleaning composition
provided that the total weight percent of hydroxy acid and the at
least one alkanol amine is 10-100% by weight of the cleaning
composition; 0-90% of surfactant by weight of the cleaning
composition; 0-90% of solvent by weight of the cleaning
composition; 0-90 wt % of water; and (b) providing the composition
to be in contact with the engine for a predetermined period of
time.
In still another aspect, the present invention provides an engine
cleaning composition, comprising:
(i) 10-100 wt % of an alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate represented
by formula (I): RCHOHCOONH.sub.a+1(CH2).sub.nOH).sub.b (I) wherein
n is an integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2
or 3; such that a+b=3; R represents hydrogen atom or alkyl;
(ii) 0-90 wt % of a surfactant;
(iii) 0-90 wt % of a solvent; and
(iv) 0-90 wt % of balanced water;
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to
describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the
present invention. The detailed description which follow more
particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method of cleaning an engine
having at least one combustion chamber, and the method includes the
steps of providing an engine cleaning composition and introducing
the cleaning composition into the combustion chamber. The engine
cleaning composition includes:
(i) 10-100 wt % of an alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate represented
by formula (I): RCHOHCOONH.sub.a+1(CH2).sub.nOH).sub.b (I) wherein
n is an integer in the range of 1 to 10; a is 0, 1 or 2; b is 1, 2
or 3; such that a+b=3; R represents hydrogen atom or alkyl; (ii)
0-90 wt % of a surfactant; (iii) 0-90 wt % of a solvent; and (iv)
0-90 wt % of balanced water;
The compositions may be used as an engine deposit cleaner which
removes air and fuel induction system deposits, inlet valve
deposits, and combustion chamber deposits. It can understood that
the composition represented by above mentioned formula may have
other structures, such as, straight or branched chain structure
with the same functional group. It can also be understood that the
surfactant, solvent, and water can be optionally present in the
composition. In another exemplary embodiment, the alkanol amine
hydroxy carboxylate is produced by means of hydroxy acid reacting
with at least one alkanol amine, optionally in water and/or
solvent.
In another exemplary embodiment, the cleaning composition comprises
30-70 wt % of the alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate, and 30-70 wt %
of the surfactant.
In another exemplary embodiment, the cleaning composition comprises
30-70 wt % of an alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate, and 30-70 wt %
of a solvent.
In another exemplary embodiment, the cleaning composition comprises
30-70 wt % of an alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate, 10-60 wt % of a
surfactant, 10-60 wt % of a solvent, and 0-90 wt % water.
In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a
method for cleaning an engine comprising the steps of: (a)
providing a composition produced by mixing the following
ingredients: 7-70% of hydroxy acid by weight of the cleaning
composition; 3-50% of at least one alkanol amine by weight of the
cleaning composition provided that the total weight percent of
hydroxy acid and the at least one alkanol amine is 10-100% by
weight of the cleaning composition; 0-90% of surfactant by weight
of the cleaning composition; 0-90% of solvent by weight of the
cleaning composition; 0-90 wt % of water; and (b) providing the
composition to be in contact with the engine for a predetermined
period of time.
In another exemplary embodiment, hydroxy acid and the at least one
alkanol amine are reacted with each other to form an alkanol amine
hydroxy carboxylate. It can be understood by an ordinary person
skilled in the art that homologous analog to hydroxy acid may be
reacted with homologous analog to alkanol amine under a certain
circumstance, in addition to exemplary embodiments illustrated in
the presentation application.
In another exemplary embodiment, hydroxy acid and the at least one
alkanol amine are equimolar.
In another exemplary embodiment, hydroxy acid and the at least one
alkanol amine are mixed to form an alkanol amine hydroxy
carboxylate before mixing with other ingredients.
In another exemplary embodiment, hydroxy acid, the at least one
alkanol amine, and water are mixed to form an alkanol amine hydroxy
carboxylate before mixing with other ingredients.
Alkanol Amine Hydroxy Carboxylate
The alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate is a necessary ingredient of
the cleaning composition according to the present invention. The
alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate used in the present invention are
produced by reacting a hydroxy acid with at least one alkanol
amine.
The alkanol amines used in the present invention include but not
limited to monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine.
The alkanol amines are compounds of the general formula (II):
H.sub.aN((CH.sub.2).sub.nOH).sub.b (II) wherein n is an integer in
the range of 1 to 10, in some exemplary embodiments n ranges from 1
to 5, or in some exemplary embodiment n ranges from 1 to 2; a is 0,
1 or 2; b is 1, 2 or 3; such that a+b=3.
The hydroxy acids suitable for the present invention may include
but not limited to lactic acid and hydroxyacetic acid. The hydroxy
acids are compounds of the general formula (III): RCHOHCOOH
(III)
wherein R represents hydrogen atom or the alkyl. In one exemplary
embodiment, the alkyl has generally 1 to 8 carbon atoms. In a
specifically exemplary embodiment, the alkyl has 1 to 3 carbon
atoms. In a more specifically exemplary embodiment, the alkyl has 1
carbon atom.
Preferably, hydroxy acid and the at least one alkanol amine used
for preparing the alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate are equimolar,
although it is acceptable to use hydroxy acid or the at least one
alkanol amine in excess. According to some exemplary embodiments,
the hydroxy acid constitutes at least 50 wt % of the total weight
of hydroxy acid and the at least one alkanol amine.
According to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
the alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate alone or in the form of an
aqueous solution can be used to remove the carbon deposit. In the
case of the alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate alone is used, the
moiety derived from hydroxy acid preferably constitutes at least 50
wt % by weight of the alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate. When the
alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate aqueous solution is used, the
water constitutes no more than 90 wt %, preferably no more than 70
wt % of the composition.
Surfactant
The surfactant is not a necessary ingredient for the cleaning
composition according to the present invention. However, a wide
variety of surfactants may be used in the present invention. If
used, the surfactant may constitute no more than 90 wt % of the
cleaning composition. The surfactants used in the present invention
include but not limited to, nonionic surfactants, anionic
surfactants, cationic surfactants and some Glycol ether. Nonionic
surfactants include alkoxylated nonionic surfactants. Alkoxylated
nonionic surfactant materials can be broadly defined as compounds
produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups with an
organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl
aromatic in nature. The length of the polyoxylakylene group which
is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be readily
adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the desired
degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements. The
polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenol, e.g. the
condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group
containing from 6-12 carbon atoms in either a straight chain or
branched chain configuration, with ethylene oxide, the said
ethylene oxide being present in amounts equal to 5 to 25 moles of
ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. The alkyl substituent in
such compounds may be derived, for example, from polymerised
propylene, diisobutylene, octane and nonene. Other examples include
dodecylphenol condensed with 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of
phenol; dinonylphenol condensed with 15 moles of ethylene oxide per
mole of phenol; nonylphenol and di-iso-isooctylphenol condensed
with 15 moles of ethylene oxide. In an exemplary embodiment,
suitable anionic surfactant is alkyl benzene sulfonates. In another
exemplary embodiment, suitable cationic surfactant is alkyl
dimethyl hydroxy ethyl ammonium chloride. In another exemplary
embodiment, surfactant is fatty alcohol ethoxylated dodecyl, for
example AEO7 available from Sasol (alcohol C12-C14, poly (7)
ethoxylate). Preferably, two or more surfactants are used together
in the cleaning composition according to the instant invention. The
two or more surfactants can be added into the system respectively
or in the form of mixture thereof. The most preferred surfactant
mixture comprises a fatty alcohol ethoxylated dodecyl and at least
one surfactant selected from a group consisting of benzenesulfonic
acid, propylene glycol Monomethyl ether (DPM), and alkyl dimethyl
hydroxy ethyl ammonium chloride (Pragpagen HY).
Solvent
The solvent is not a necessary ingredient for the cleaning
composition according to the present invention. However, a wide
variety of solvents may be used in the present invention. If used,
the solvent may constitute no more than 90 wt % of the cleaning
composition. The type of hydrocarbon useful in the invention may be
selected from a broad class of aliphatic solvents. Preferred
hydrocarbon compounds or blends thereof are not classified as
flammable liquids (Flash point at or above 100 F by tag closed cup
method) and they have solubility parameter ranges for, nonpolar of
6.5 to 10.5, for polar of 0 to 2.5 and hydrocarbon bonding of 0 to
2.5 based on the three dimensional Hansen Solubility Parameter
System with units of the square root of calories per cubic
centimeter. More preferred are the above hydrocarbon compounds or
blends thereof with flash points above 140 F and preferably above
200 F. Particularly preferred are aliphatic hydrocarbon liquids
wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon liquid consists of
cycloparaffins, isoparaffins, n-paraffins or mixtures thereof.
Examples of such hydrocarbon components are the high flash point
mineral spirits and naphthas readily available from a variety of
suppliers. Specific examples are Exxon "Isopar", Essol "D60" and
Shell "Soltrol" solvents.
Water
Water is not a necessary ingredient for the cleaning composition
according to the present invention. If used, water may constitute
no more than 90 wt %, preferably no more than 70 wt % of the
cleaning composition. In this case, the cleaning composition is an
aqueous solution in which the alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate
exists in the solution in form of an ion.
PH of the Compositions
The PH value of the cleaning composition according to the present
invention may range from 5 to 9 and can be regulated according to
conventional methods, for example, by adding additional base such
as NaOH or KOH.
Methods of Mixing the Compositions
In producing these compositions, the ingredients may be combined in
several ways.
According to some embodiments, the alkanol amine hydroxy
carboxylate may be prepared by mixing hydroxy acid, at least one
alkanol amine and optional water and/or solvent and/or surfactant
mixture. Preferably, the hydroxy acid and the at least one alkanol
amine are equimolar. The obtained alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate
can be either directly used as the cleaning composition according
to the present invention or used for further mixing with other
ingredients. In one exemplary embodiment, hydroxy acid and the
alkanol amine are introduced into a container and mixed to form an
alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate. Then, surfactant and solvent can
be added into the mixture of hydroxy acid and the alkanol amine
sequentially or simultaneously. If necessary, a balanced amount of
water can be introduced into the container to form a final cleaning
composition. In other exemplary embodiment, hydroxy acid, the at
least one alkanol amine, and water are mixed to form an alkanol
amine hydroxy carboxylate. Then, solvent and surfactant can be
added into the mixture simultaneously or sequentially.
It is understandable that all the ingredients can be added into the
reactor simultaneously or sequentially, wherein hydroxy acid and
the at least one alkanol amine react with each other to form the
alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate.
Use of the Compositions
The cleaning compositions of the present invention are intended for
use in a procedure for cleaning an engine, for example, an
internal-combustion engine of a car. The procedure includes
following steps. When the engine needs to be cleaned, spark plug of
the engine will be removed first. Then, the prepared cleaning
composition is introduced into combustion chambers of the engine
via a conduit with a suitable diameter. For instance, 120-150 ml
prepared cleaning composition can be distributed into each
combustion chamber. Then, the engine is kept still for a period of
time in order to have a better cleaning effect by ensuring the
composition to sufficiently soak the carbon deposit in the
combustion chamber. After that period of time, for example 60
minutes, the used or reacted cleaning composition can be sucked out
via the conduit from the combustion chamber. Finally, the chambers
are dried via a traditional means.
This invention provides a high performance cleaning composition
without aromatic hydrocarbon and ethylene glycol ether. As can be
seen from the following examples, all the cleaning compositions
according to the present invention provides a cleaning rate higher
than 50% and a good or very good cleaning performance. Some
particularly preferred embodiments even provided very satisfactory
cleaning performance.
EXAMPLES
These examples are merely for illustrative purposes only and are
not meant to be limiting on the scope of the appended claims. All
parts, percentages, ratios, etc. in the examples and the rest of
the specification are by weight, unless noted otherwise.
Table of Abbreviations
TABLE-US-00001 Abbreviation or Trade Designation Name Supplier CAS
No AEO 7 Alcohol C12-C14, Sasol 68439-50-9 poly (7) ethoxylate D 60
Alkyl hydrocarbon Qing Yuan 64742-48-9 solvent Xing Chemical DPM
Propylene Glycol DOW 34590-94-8 Monomethyl Ether LASH Dodecyl
benzenesulfonic Jing Di 27176-87-0 acid Chemical HY alkyl dimethyl
hydroxy Clairiant -- ethyl ammonium chloride LA Lactic acid PURAC
79-33-4 MEA Monoethanolamine DOW 121-43-5 HA Hydroxyacetic acid
Haiqu 79-14-1 Chemical NaOH Sodium hydroxide Sinopharm 1310-73-2
Chemical 9543 POWERZOL 9543, a Lubrizol -- kind of polyether amine
AP Aluminum Panel Xuwan -- Trading Co. H2O DI water -- 7732-18-5 A
Surfactant -- -- B Solvent -- -- C Alkanol amine hydroxy -- --
carboxylate
Test Method
AP Dipping Cleaning Test Method was used to test the cleaning
performance of the compositions prepared in the examples and
comparative examples.
This test is to evaluate cleaning performance of different formula
by removing artificial carbon deposit on aluminum panel sample in
60 minutes ("min" hereinafter).
1. Aluminum panel sample preparation. three sample aluminum panels
were prepared and the weight of each panel was recorded as ml;
2. Gasoline and Lubricant preparation. 200 g gasoline and 60 g
mixture of gasoline and lubricant (50% gasoline and 50% lubricant)
were prepared, respectively. The gasoline is 93# gasoline available
from China market and lubricant is Castrol GTX 10W-40.
3. Burning. First each aluminum panel is put into an iron can.
Then, 60 g gasoline and lubricant mixture were poured into the can
and got burnt. When the gasoline and lubricant mixture burnt out,
another 200 g gasoline was added into the can and continued
burning.
4. Recording. After the burnout, the weight of the aluminum panel
was recorded as m2.
5. Cleaning. The aluminum panel sample was dipped into a 200 ml
beaker full of test liquid for 60 min in 80. After that, the
aluminum panel was wiped with rag and dried it for 2 hours, and
then the weight of the aluminum panel was recorded as m3.
6. Calculating. The cleaning rate can be calculated as following
formula: Cleaning Rate=(m2-m3)/(m2-m1)100%
7. Evaluation for cleaning performance.
TABLE-US-00002 Cleaning class Cleaning Rate/% Very Good .gtoreq.75
Good 50~75 Normal 25~50 Bad .ltoreq.25
The formula whose cleaning class is good or very good is deemed as
a high cleaning performance formula.
The liquid cleaning compositions of Example 1-4 were prepared as
follows:
Example 1
210 g lactic acid into reactor and 700 g DI water were introduced
into a reactor. And then the introduced lactic acid and DI water
were agitated for 20 minutes ("min" hefereinafter) to form a
transparent and stable liquid mixture. After that, 90 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the mixture slowly and
agitated for 120 min to produce a transparent and stable
liquid.
Example 2
350 g lactic acid and 500 g DI water were introduced into a
reactor. And then the introduced lactic acid and DI water were
agitated for 20 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 150 g monoethanolamine was introduced into the
mixture slowly and then was agitated for 120 min to form a
transparent and stable liquid.
Example 3
490 g lactic acid into reactor and 300 g DI water were introduced
into a reactor. And then the introduced lactic acid and DI water
were agitated for 20 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 210 g monoethanolamine was added into the
mixture slowly and then the final mixture was agitated for 120 min
to form a transparent and stable liquid.
Example 4
700 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. After that, 300 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable
liquid.
Each of these compositions was tested using the AP Test Method
described above. The data are presented in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 1 Cleaning Example LA MEA DI Water pH Rate/%
Cleaning class 1 21 9 70 8 51.8 Good 2 35 15 50 8 56.8 Good 3 49 21
30 8 62.6 Good 4 70 30 0 8 72.4 Good
The ingredients for preparing the liquid cleaning compositions of
Examples 5-17 are described as follows.
Part A: Surfactant. The composition of the surfactant is shown in
Table 2.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2 Ingredient Content/% AEO7 100
Part B: Solvent. The composition of the solvent is shown in Table
3
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Ingredient Content/% D 60 100
Part C: Alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate. The composition of
alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate is formed by mixing the lactic
acid with MEA is shown in Table 4
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4 Ingredient Content/% LA 70 MEA 30
The liquid cleaning compositions of Examples 5-17 were prepared as
follows.
Example 5
70 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. And then 30 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid.
After that, 900 g D60 solvent was introduced into the mixture and
was agitated for 30 min to form a transparent and stable
liquid.
Example 6
70 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. And then 30 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 900 g AEO7 surfactant was added into the
mixture and then was agitated for 30 min to form a transparent and
stable liquid.
Example 7
140 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. And then 60 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 800 g D60 solvent was added into the mixture
and was agitated for 30 min to form a transparent and stable
liquid.
Example 8
140 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. And then 60 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 800 g AEO7 surfactant was added into the
mixture and then was agitated for 30 min to form a transparent and
stable liquid.
Example 9
210 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. And then 90 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 600 g D60 solvent and 100 g AEO7 surfactant
were added into the mixture. Finally, the mixture in the reactor
was agitated for 30 min to form a transparent and stable
liquid.
Example 10
210 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. And next 90 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 350 g AEO7 surfactant and 350 g D60 solvent
were added into the mixture and then was agitated for 30 min to
form a transparent and stable liquid.
Example 11
210 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. Next, 90 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 600 g AEO7 surfactant and 100 g D60 were added
into the mixture and then the final mixture was agitated for 30 min
to form a transparent and stable liquid.
Example 12
350 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. Next, 150 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to produce a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 100 g AEO7 surfactant and 400 g D60 solvent
were added into the mixture and then was agitated for 30 min to
form a transparent and stable liquid.
Example 13
350 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. Next, 150 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 250 g AEO7 surfactant and 250 g D60 solvent
were added into the mixture and then was agitated for 30 min to
form a transparent and stable liquid.
Example 14
350 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. Next, 150 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 400 g AEO7 surfactant and 100 g D60 solvent
were added into the mixture and then was agitated for 30 min to
form a transparent and stable liquid.
Example 15
490 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. Next, 210 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, add 100 g AEO7 surfactant and 200 g D60
solvent were introduced into the mixture and then was agitated for
30 min to form a transparent and stable liquid.
Example 16
490 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. Next, 210 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 150 g AEO7 surfactant and 150 g D60 solvent
were added into the mixture and then was agitated for 30 min to
form a transparent and stable liquid.
Example 17
490 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. Next, 210 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid
mixture. After that, 200 g AEO7 surfactant and 100 g D60 solvent
were added into the mixture and then was agitated for 30 min to
form a transparent and stable liquid.
Each of these compositions was tested using the AP Dipping Cleaning
Test Method described above. The data are presented in Table 5.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 5 Example A B C pH Cleaning Rate/% Cleaning
class 5 0 90 10 8 67.7 Good 6 90 0 10 8 64.8 Good 7 0 80 20 8 72.3
Good 8 80 0 20 8 68.9 Good 9 10 60 30 8 89.3 Very Good 10 35 35 30
8 92.3 Very Good 11 60 10 30 8 86.3 Very Good 12 10 40 50 8 90.6
Very Good 13 25 25 50 8 93.2 Very Good 14 40 10 50 8 89.7 Very Good
15 10 20 70 8 89.3 Very Good 16 15 15 70 8 90.5 Very Good 17 20 10
70 8 88.5 Very Good
Comparison Between Example 4, 18, 19, 20 and C1
Example 4 shows a liquid cleaning composition according to the
present invention described in Table 1.
Example 18
600 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. Next, 400 g
diethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then was
agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid.
Example 19
500 g lactic acid was introduced into a reactor. Next, 500 g
triethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then was
agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable liquid.
Example 20
500 g hydroxyacetic acid was introduced into a reactor. Next, 500 g
monoethanolamine was introduced into the reactor slowly and then
was agitated for 120 min to form a transparent and stable
liquid.
Comparative example 1(C1) shows a liquid cleaning composition which
is the mixture of Oleic acid and MEA.
Comparative example 2(C2) shows a liquid cleaning composition which
is the mixture of Citric acid and MEA.
Each of these compositions was tested using the AP Dipping Cleaning
Test Method. The data are presented in Table 6.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 6 Oleic Citric DI Cleaning Cleaning Example LA
HA Acid acid TEA DEA MEA pH Water Rate/% class 4 70 30 8 0 72.4
Good 18 60 40 7 0 66.1 Good 19 50 50 7 0 64.8 Good 20 50 50 8 0
74.3 Good C1 50 50 7 0 22.5 Bad C2 50 50 8 0 18.8 Bad
Comparison Between Example 10, C3, C4 and C5
Example 10 is a liquid cleaning composition described in Table
5.
Comparative example 3 (C3) is a cleaning composition which is full
of B.
Comparative example 4 (C4) is a cleaning composition which is the
mixture of A and B
Comparative example 5 (C5) is a cleaning composition which is full
of A.
Each of these compositions was tested using the AP Cleaning Test
Method. The data are presented in Table 7
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 7 Cleaning Example A B C Rate/% Cleaning class
10 35 35 30 92.3 Very Good C3 0 100 0 47.6 Normal C4 50 50 0 42.2
Normal C5 100 0 0 34.1 Normal
Comparison Between Example 10 and C6
Example 10 is test liquid cleaning composition described in Table
5.
Comparative example C6 is a carbon deposit cleaner which was
prepared in Example 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,453A1 using the
ingredients described in Table 8.
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 8 Content/ Ingredient % wt Polyisobutenyl
aminoethylethanolamine(24.4% 6.11 in a diluent oil) Butyl
Cellosolve 3.00 Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol 3.00 500 SUS Neutral Oil
1.50 700 SUS Neutral Oil 0.94 Aqueous Ammonia(28%) 0.74 Water 12.23
Oleic Acid 3.00 Calcium Petroleum Sulfonate 0.24 Xylene 10.89
Mineral Spirits 8.59 Gasoline 49.76
Each of these compositions was tested using the AP Cleaning Test
Method. The data are presented in Table 9.
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 9 Cleaning Cleaning Example A B C Rate/% class
10 35 35 30 92.3 Very Good C6 34.2 Normal
Example 21
150 g lactic acid and 200 g DI water were introduced into a
reactor. Next, 150 g monoethanolamine was introduced into the
reactor slowly and then was agitated for 120 min to form a
transparent and stable liquid mixture. After that, 60 g AEO7
surfactant, 120 g dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid, 100 g Propylene
Glycol Monomethyl Ether, 20 g alkyl dimethyl hydroxy ethyl ammonium
chloride, 100 g D60 solvent, and 100 g polyether amine were added
into the mixture. The mixture was agitated for 30 min to form a
transparent and stable liquid as a liquid cleaning composition.
The ingredients useful for preparing the composition of the example
21 are described as follows:
Part A: surfactant mixture. The composition of the surfactant
mixture is shown in Table 10.
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 10 Ingredient Content/% LASH 40 DMP 33.3 AEO7
20 HY 6.7
Part B: solvent mixture. The composition of the solvent mixture is
shown in Table 11.
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 11 Ingredient Content/% D 60 50 9543 50
Part C: Alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate. The composition of
alkanol amine hydroxy carboxylate formed by mixing lactic acid with
MEA is shown in Table 12.
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 12 Ingredient Content/% LA 50 MEA 50
The cleaning composition of Example 21 was tested using the AP
Dipping Cleaning Test Method. The data are presented in Table
13.
TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 13 DI Cleaning Cleaning Example A B C Water
Rate/% class 21 30 20 30 20 90.2 Very Good
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be
illustrative and not restrictive. Various modifications and
alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled
in the art from the foregoing description without departing from
the scope and the spirit of this invention, and it should be
understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited to the
illustrative embodiments set forth herein.
* * * * *